Hi guys, I’m new to NOCD, just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to cope better than I am at the moment. I’m 21, and I’ve been struggling with OCD for 6 years or so, but I’ve only been diagnosed for a little over a year. I’ve completely smashed the prerequisite score for diagnoses but I constantly feel like I’m making negligible progress. I have been having CBT for 10+ weeks (I lost count) and I have learnt to manage the checks and “physical” aspect of OCD, but the Intrusive Thoughts have multiplied so badly that I cannot perform simple actions without a mental battle. I have considered medication but it is not something I want to pursue unless absolutely a help from others’ experience (luckily I get free prescriptions and healthcare from the NHS, so cost isn’t a factor). How does anyone cope? Is there any experiences that have made anyone laugh? Sometimes I get so worked up that I can’t take myself seriously ? but I just want to know how other people feel since I do feel like nobody really understands what it is like, and just tell me to “not do it” which isn’t really any help! Thanks ?

Welcome to the community! I completely understand how hard is to not be able to do simple things without having a mental battle. It’s so, so hard and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. When it comes to intrusive thoughts, let them flow. Nothing OCD says about you is true, so it won’t do any harm to not pay attention to them. Reacting to them makes them stay longer. If you don’t want to go on medication there are natural supplements available that you can try.

You’re welcome! I hate the fight or flight stress that goes with OCD! I’ve heard that curcumin, a component of turmeric, and ashwaghanda help with OCD. Here’s a website I found helpful. https://bebrainfit.com/natural-remedies-ocd/

Welcome! Slow progress is still progress! In general with ERP, it gets a little worse before it gets better. When you start effectively treating the thoughts, they basically try to fight to stay alive. The mental battle is real! But for awhile, it probably just has to feel that way. But you’ll gain more practice and it will become much more automatic as time goes on. Meds can help for some. I recommend doing your research first and not staying on them more than a year. Most studies done on them are relatively short term, so we know the short term effects but not the long (and long term is considered over a year.) You said you’re doing CBT, are you also doing mindfulness training? It’s great for helping to let those thoughts flow without constantly feeling the need to battle them.

Thanks for your responses guys!! Your advice is invaluable, it finally feels good to speak to other people with this stupid overthinking nightmare, because as I said previously, some people who try and understand it simply can’t ? Ill definitely do more research around supplements or meds so thank you for your advice! Meditation or mindfulness also seems great practice ?

You’re welcome. I’m glad to have been able to help. I agree it’s hard to make people who don’t have OCD truly understand what we go through every day.

Hi @mitchw97. I’m proud of you for getting the help you need and continuing to do the hard work of breaking through ocd. Here’s my perspective on medication: I have been on SSRI medication for thirteen years and it has saved my life. I also deal with severe depression, but the medication has enabled me to live a relatively normal life. Yes, I’ve gained about 15 pounds that won’t come off no matter what I do, but at least I’m alive; without the medication I become suicidal. Over the past 13 years I have tried to come off of medication and use supplements instead and these times have turned into nightmares where I become suicidal again. My body needs medication. But your body is yours, and your story is different. I would say that when you are considering medication, the question to ask yourself is: am I functional? Are you are able to go to work/school, be with friends, pay your rent, take showers and eat? If you can’t do those things, I suggest seeking guidance from your therapist and physician and get their recommendations on whether they think you should start medication. TL;DR: meds saved my life and I will never be able to get off them and that’s fine with me; if you’re functional in daily life, talk to your dr about the possibility of starting meds.

@catlady thanks for your reply! I am trying to let them flow, I’ve had many chats with my therapist about the whole fight or flight malarkey too, it’s just a bit difficult going from 100mph of gottadothisgottadothisgottadothis to meh ? Do you have any recommendations for natural supplements? I haven’t the foggiest idea where to start!

@puppychino thank you!! i’m glad they’ve worked for you, I have heard numerous stories about their effectiveness and I have had my doubts. I think I am rather quite functional, I hit a wall a few months ago where I think medication could have been the only thing that could have helped, but I started CBT and that has been really helpful, but as I said in the OP, I feel I’ve hit a bit of a wall. I’m referring to another therapist and I am going to start looking into other supplements, as a kind of progression to before I start thinking about medications ? Thank you for your help, I hope your own journey is full of joy and good fortune.